Day three

Well, anyone who has ever been to Las Vegas knows that once you get to Day Three, you often hit the point of diminishing marginal returns. That’s certainly the case here, as things seem to be slowing down somewhat. As for the returns at the craps and blackjack tables, well, there hasn’t been much in that regard, either.

Mark Loretta is officially official, and when I spoke with him today, he seems very excited to be coming home to play for the Dodgers. He grew up locally and I know he’s wanted to be a Dodger for quite some time so I’m glad we can make that happen. To me, he seems like the perfect utility guy who could also fill in at second base should DeWitt struggle at any point.

We also spent the morning at the WBC news conference where it was announced that Tommy will serve as an official ambassador again, something he did incredibly for the last tournament. No one represents the game of baseball better around the globe and he seems thrilled to do it again.

Ironically, this place is filled with former Dodger managers…Tommy, Davey Johnson (who will managed Team USA at the WBC), Jim Tracy…and former GMs Fred Claire, Paul DePodesta, Dan Evans. All of these are good people that I’ve worked with over the years, so it’s a fun week from that perspective.

I haven’t had time to read comments in a few days, as it’s quite busy. Today we had a luncheon with Joe Torre and all our media members and I’m off to more meetings shortly. Tonight we’ll have a dinner where Gib Bodet, one of our longtime scouts, will be honored with the Scout of the Year Award.

Last but certainly not least – feliz cumpleanos! (that is, happy birthday) to Jaime Jarrin. I just spoke with him to wish him a Happy Birthday and we wish him nothing but the best in 2009.

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Josh, you should be glad you haven’t read our comments for a few days! They were not very complimentary to our organization. I, for one, am yearning for the days of Dodger tradition and excellence. Mediocrity in this day and age, is not acceptable. The fans, who have been loyal through thick and thin, deserve better than what we have gotten lately.

Okay, enough about the Yankees. I’m sick of them. We resign Raffy (again, an incentive-laden 2 year deal), we resign Manny (3 year deal, possibly an option for 4, but nothing more than that), I’ll be happy. Yes, we NEED starting pitching and right now, I don’t really want to think about starting pitching right now. Maybe someone else can chime in on that subject.

Dodgers interested in Vizquel
The Dodgers may be interested in adding verteran free-agent Omar Vizquel if they lose shortstop Rafael Furcal in free agency, according to the Daily News.
Our View: He’ll turn 42 in April, and he hasn’t hit better than .250 in three years. But he IS an 11-time Gold Glove winner and would be another excellent addition to the clubhouse.

Scurtis! Sorry the weather stinks for you. I’m still unemployed, but hey, I just got an interview request today! The interview will be Tuesday 12/16/08 @ 10 AM! It’s been so long since I’ve been on an interview, that I’m glad that I have some time to prepare…

2008 payroll – $120 mil. (approx). Take away $58 mil from players let go, and add about $15 mil for PVLs, NRIs and arbitration. Let’s call it $80 mil for this years team. After next season, another $35 mil comes off the books. Add $15 back on for PVL’s, etc. and we’re at $60 mil for 2010.

Its obvious that this club will not obtain a premium player in his prime so my contention is, if you’re going to be a second-rate franchise, set prices at a second-rate franchise’s level. I’d say about a 25% reduction across the board – tickets, parking, concessions, etc. is in order.

My other contention is, what kind of an idiot owner would allow their GM to sign a guy with a rotator cuff injury in the first place?

When Frank gets up in the morning he need not look any further than in the mirror for why this franchise is in the shape it’s in, and why as long as it’s the owner staring him back in the face, it’ll never get any better.

I’m starting to think that bringing in Manny last year was an ownership plan to sell season tickets for this year knowing that this year they’ll put an inferior product on the field and might have trouble selling tickets. Maybe instead of buying the Marathon you put that money into making this once proud franchise great again, Dodger fans deserve better than Blake and Loretta, with Vizquel and Randy Johnson on the horizon. Sell the team Frank. Maybe someone who can actually afford it will buy it. I’ve heard that Ned said he’ll only do things that improve the Team, well I’m still waiting to see that happen, and then read about Vizquel, who are you kidding, certainly not the true fans.

Hey Tru – I hear ya. Just yesterday, I had a gut feeling that we were going to sign CC! How wrong was I! We still have a possibility about Manny, but remember, this is the same organization that said that we stood a good chance with CC because he wanted to pitch in the NL and in So Cal. To me, that was all PR fluff that I can do without. Vizquel, if we sign him, we might as well be the gnats. I mean, even our kids aren’t even immune! We HAD to change our “original name” Blue Crew Fan Club to a Gnat retread, “Junior” Dodgers. Ya know what, this team doesn’t deserve fans like us…

It is sad, but a real possibility, Enchanted. I’m really getting scared now!!
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.CP ~ I think the Junior Dodgers name stinks!! We are always told to think BLUE…………Tommy even bleeds DODGER BLUE and therefore, BRING BACK THE BLUE CREW!!!

Oh, is that ALL we need Enchanted. But as much as I don’t want it, I’m kinda getting that gut feeling that we will. But remember what happened when I had a gut feeling? I thought that we were going to sign CC! So based on that logic, maybe we won’t!!! I know, another pipedream…

As upset we fans are about the moves and non-moves this ownership is making, I wonder how Vin Scully feels about all this. I mean, he’s been here to see 60 years of Dodger baseball. And has it EVER changed in those 60 years! Boy, wouldn’t I like to be a fly on the wall in Vinny’s booth when he tries to choke out the words, “Boys and girls, don’t forget to sign up for our Junior Dodgers!” Choke, choke, gag, gag…

The Dodgers were a Final Four team, thanks to Manny…not CC, not K-Rod, not Burnett, not anyone else out there. SIGN MANNY. Furcal? He had a great bunt in Chicago…otherwise???? Lowe was a big part but not a super part. He can be replaced. The core is still there: Kemp, Ethier, Martin, Loney–and these four are only going to get better. Bottom line. SIGN MANNY. With Holliday, Fuentes, the Big Unit, and Peavy (hopefully) out of the Western Division, the golden ring is right there. SIGN MANNY.

And when I was commenting on Vinny above, it just came out at the end that he’d be choking over the words, Junior Dodgers. But actually, my original intent was to imagine how he feels about the personnel moves and non-moves.

Hello ITD!
Long time posting here. Who says “this is the best time of the year”? this is the busiest time for me from October till the end of January. But I am glad to have a job in this kind of economy. Anyway, first things fist.
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Jaime!
Feliz Cumpleanos y que cumplas muchos, pero muchos mas. Que Dios te vendiga y arriva Los Dodgers! -Emma
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About the Caravan for season ticket holders:
WOW! My friends and I had a wonderful time at the Winter Caravan that was held at Dodger Stadium on Sunday 12/7/08! WOW! We hope is a yearly event!!
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We met at Barragans for breakfast which is a few blocks away from the stadium, then we arrived at the gates at 11:30 a.m. I noticed the cars in front of me were turning back, well when I got to the window we found out that were not letting anyone in until noon so we parked on the side street and chatted until it was time.
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Once we got in, we parked behind the left field and gave our name and handed out the food bag for the Food Bank and the toys for Toys for Tots. The center gate was open and to the right there was merchandise for sale with the sign saying “$3 or less” I was so happy that they had the Dodger bear from Build a Bear that was a giveaway for the kids. We adults, sometimes are envious of what the kids get, so getting this bear for $3 was a bargain. I purchased 4 and my friend Lore purchases a whole bunch. They also had the Russell Martin jersey that was also a giveaway for kids size Jackie Robinson t-shirts, bubble heads, tumbler, the Ebbets Field school binder, trading cards, blankets, the Sephora lip gloss that was a giveaway for us ladies, rally towels, beanie hats for kids, and other giveaway gifts they had thru the season. Besides the bears, I got a blanket to give away (I have plenty of blankets but I am keeping mines), lip glosses, two Jackie Robinson t-shirts, two of the Ebbets Field school binders. Inside the stadium I got the grey NL West Championship shirt for $5. I also picked up Wes Parker’s jersey in the auction.
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We stood right in front where Vin Scully was going to be. He strolled to the center of the field where the big chair where Santa was going to sit. After they introduced him and he got our applauses, my friend Erik and I did our usual chant that we do for Vin. “Vin Scully! We love you!”. We started doing that this season on the road, then at home. We met Vin in Arizona and we told him we were the two crazy fans that chant that to him at several stadiums including Dodger Stadium. He told us that day in Arizona “Oh, you are not crazy” “I love your enthusiasm!” then he said “what are your names?”. We told him our names and he repeated them!”. We were in awe that he would ask us our name and that he would repeat them. You’ve heard me saying that the only Dodger that has asked me my name has been Jeff Kent. I overheard this lady telling her friend how happy she was that she was getting a Kent bobblehead. I told her I also like Jeff and she told me she had gone to the WIN baseball clinic.
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Ok, so I got sidetrack. so after we did our “Vin Scully, we love you!” Vin looked at us and smiled. He talked about how the stadium is like a person with open arms, about the sky with some clouds but that us fans were brighten up the day :-). At the end he told the kids to get ready soon as Santa was coming to town. He took noticed of this little girl in the frond with wings on telling her and other kids “you better watch out, you better not cry, Santa is coming to town….” About 1:p.m. Tommy Claus headed to that area. At this time, Erik and I were in line to take our pictures in front of home base. They were taking your name so that the picture could be taken with scoreboard saying “Season Greetings from..(insert your name). It was so cool. the pictures were free and also the pictures taken with Tommy Claus. We were too late with that but we had the photographer take our picture so Erik, Lore and I snuggled in the chair to pose for the picture. We got autographs from Andre, Delwyn Young, Kemp, Tommy Davis & MacDonald. My friend Lore was able to get the picture with Tommy Claus and Fernando. We were too late for that. They also had cookie decorating for kids in the dugout restaurant area and coloring markers to decorate or to write letters to Santa or to any player or coach. I wrote one for Andre in big letters.
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They were taking registration for the Blue Crew… i mean that new name that they have. I told them I did not like the name because it reminded me of J.D. Drew. I also told the same to Dr. Steinberg when I saw him. He recognized me from other events. anyway, he said that is a new one (the reference to J.D. Drew) and that he will pass that along. I said a lot of us in the Inside Dodger blog do not like the name.
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Oh, when I talked to Andre and I told him that I read his blog, he said to watch for more restaurant reviews in the Spring Training area.
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We ended up taking the last tour. I have taken the tour 2 times before but neither Erik or Lore had taken it before. something new I saw is and I forget the gentleman that was having an exhibition there. Boy the baseball cards and souvenirs that he has are awesome. also Vin Scully area was open so I sat there and looked at “his view” and said “Is time for Dodger Baseball”. Great time! go to go now to take the train. Going to the Laker game. bye!

Nsblues,
catching my breath…. Boy, that was a long post from me. got a couple of minutes. I wish I would have told Dr. Steinberg also what you said that it also reminds you of Jack Daniels! Lol. that is funny. ok, now I really got to go! Can’t miss that train.

Nelly, I’m feeling a lot better, just about normal, until I heard about Vizquel. Again, great guy, but it’s looks like we’re not the only ones beating the dead horses, ’cause I had hoped that this line of thinking was long gone.

So far, these winter meeting in Las Vegas is shaping up just fine.
I’m happy we’re keeping Blake and nice to see Loretta aboard.
I’m also relieved that we are not signing CC, because it looked last night that it wouldn’t’ve took much for the Dodgers to have him at a lot cheeper price than the Yankees.
I was afraid that it could’ve ruined our chances of getting Manny. I’d much rather have the offense.

nsblues – glad you are feeling better, but yes, this news about Omar is just frightening. He was one of the few Giants I kind of liked (if I can even say I liked any of the Giants), but that’s because he was on their team and not on ours. Hasn’t Ned figured out there is a reason their former team doesn’t want them? Obviously not 🙂

enchanted – that’s what it comes down to – honesty for a change instead of all the BS, and like you said earlier, along with many others, if we are going to be B market team (which we shouldn’t be, and Frank should sell the team), then prices need to come way down.

No birk, but when on the D’s own website comes out and illudes that they’d make an exception on a long term contract for CC, and in another article say that CC wants to be a Dodger, then comeback the next day and say that they never seriously courted the man, why all the BS about it in the first place? All that breeds is distrust.

Enchanted, I don’t know why they print all this stuff. I do find it amazing that the Dodgers finally had to reveal they knew about Schmidt’s medical condition but only because of a legal issue with the insurance company.

Nelly, I am doing fine, thanks for asking. I have been reading the posts but really did not have much to add to what was being said. Like everyone else I am waiting for all the big signings and looking forward to next season. I was a bit disturbed about comments attributed to Derrick Lowe in which he questioned the Dodgers efforts to put together a winning team.

Good evening ITD’ers.
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Nice recap Emma. You sure do live a charmed life. Laker games, sitting in Vin’s booth, posing with Santa!
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I continue to turn on my feelings regarding Ned & Frank. I have given them a chance and stuck up for them as I understand that mistakes are made in work and sometimes decisions don’t work out. I was for the Jones signing last year. Even though I wanted T. Hunter instead.
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I mentioned this earlier that the thing with CC is exactly what happened with Hunter. Last year the rumors were that the Dodgers were interested and he wanted to play in LA.
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Then part way through the season Hunter came out and said the Dodgers never approached him or called.
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Then I read where Ned wasn’t “rushing” to meet with CC’s reps. WHY THE HE** NOT?!!!! Please don’t tell me that your to busy to meet with them. I mean how much work does it take to get some general dialog going. It’s not like you all that busy “chasing” anyone else is it?
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Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind that we didn’t sign CC for what NY did. I would of been unhappy with that contract if they had. But the point is that we didn’t have an offer ready to go. I also mentioned this earlier that Nedco doesn’t seem to have a plan. This just becomes more & more obvious to me.
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I fear that not even approaching CC will now cause a domino affect that will include some stupid panic signing by Ned.
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I would be okay with Oliver Perez or Pettitte. Just not for to many years. We need a pitcher to our staff because Kershaw is still to young as a pitcher and McDonald is where Kersh was last year. Forget about Schmidt. That means our extra pitcher with ML experience is Stults. That will drain our bullpen and by September they will be overused and shot.
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This is why I say at this point try to get 1 of them and let the kids play. Based on what has taken place I don’t see us getting Manny, so let’s just call it a year and have some fun.
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I don’t want us to be close in the division at the trading deadline and make a trade with some of our youngsters to get a rental that might get us to the playoffs only to loose because we didn’t have enough. I’ve had the pleasure of watching the Giants do that for years.
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It was a fun ride with Manny this last year and I was happy with it but this year I think we should stand pat as we have a good core of youth and maybe we (Nedco) can get a plan and enact it next year.
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Please, Visquel??? Oh I’m getting steamed! I’m so hacked that I can’t get my thoughts together.

lbirken~ As far as football, it definitely wasn’t UCLA’s year, but they always have a strong basketball team so you should be in for some happy times. As far as Lowe, all I have heard is how he was unhappy here, but with what has been going on with “To Tell the Truth” – Dodger style around here lately, maybe that isn’t the case ethier.

Good Evening dcollins!!! I think the mention of Omar Vizquel has us nor-cal folks a little more uptight than the rest, don’t you think? Is that perhaps because we live the Giants drama everyday? I tell you what, even their own KNBR sports people and most fans knew it was time for Vizquel to go. However, that would be just like the Dodgers to pick him up.

And on a funny note: Today I went to my local card store to pick up my batting helmet display I ordered for an autographed batting helmet that I had numerous players sign this year, and also picked out a couple packs of cards.
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One of the cards I pulled was a “Marquee Matchups” card from SP. The card was Matt Cain & Andruw Jones. The pictures are of their chest up. The guy who owns the store is a huge Giant fan and hates the Dodgers. He knows I’m a huge Dodger fan and he we still like each other and have fun with it but not in a ripping fashion.
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I show him the card and he says, “Gosh Jones looks real fat!”.
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I just busted up.

on a similar note dcollins. I have this bin of baseball cards that are ethier duplicates or not worth having at this point, and there are very few Dodger cards in this bin, but one of my girls came up to me the other day, shocked she found a Dodger card in there. So, I looked to see who’s it was, and it was Andruw. She asked me if I wanted to keep it, and I told her “sweetie, I don’t need his card, he kind of sucks!” She asked if he played with Andre, and told her yes, but Andre was much better than Andruw. I told her that if he plays next year and he plays better, than I will think about keeping his card, but for now, he stays in that bin.

Call it Theatre of the Absurd, when just after 4 p.m. PT, Scott Boras created quite a scene here in Vegas.

Boras came out of an elevator bank at the Bellagio and a pack of reporters surrounded him. Boras was leaning up against a glass wall of a gift shop when hotel security officers started screaming at reporters that they could not shoot in the lobby.

After a few minutes of ignoring their pleas, a head security guard parted the sea of reporters, instructing Boras to take his show to a nearby ballroom.

That began a five-minute journey of at least 40 reporters following the super agent through the hotel hallways. Onlookers were bemused by the scene.

At one point a young man wearing a Yankees cap was walking alongside me.

“Hey mom, I’m following Scott Boras,” he said through his cell phone. “We’re all following him. He’s got some sort of press conference.”

The scene ended at the media workroom, where Boras stood on an impromptu dais and addressed questions about his crop of free agents.

The answers were not nearly entertaining as the show that preceded them.

nsblues – I just read the ending posts from last thread, and yours was absolutely hilarious – LMAO!!!!! I can just picture the exasperation on your s fface, kind of like when jungar went off this morning.

This whole day has been like that, when the next rumor/article came out, I can picture in my head what everyone on here would say or think, and sure enough, it happened just like I thought.

Not to be a vindictive A-hole, but I hope Frank loses his lawsuit with Schmidt and the insurance company. Anyone stupid enough to sign someone that they KNEW had a partial tear to the rotator cuff to begin with doesn’t deserve to win a lawsuit stemming off of that.

This affair I’m afraid sums up the current Dodger management in a nutshell. It’s the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges. Its like thinking Jerry Lewis is a comic genius – its something only the French would acclaim. And we wonder why Frank has no money, we only have half a team, and our farm system is depleted – all in 3 years.

Ned’s contract expires next year – what incompetent boob will Frank hire next? Because far be it from him to hire from within and giving Kim or Logan a chance – probably the only two people that have saved the organization from being a total laughing stock.

Hey MLB – next time someone who knows nothing about baseball and who has to leverage themselves to the hilt to acquire a franchise, steer them towards Pittsburgh or Kansas City…

Kahli – Manny will have four other outfielders to compete with, and you know Dodger management likes competition to keep them on their toes and fresh. We would hate for him to lose his job to Jones or Pierre so the fans can practice their incessant booing. Booing is so much more inviting than cheers and chants you know.

CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees agreed Wednesday on the framework for a $161 million, seven-year contract, the richest for a pitcher in baseball history.

I guess we were wrong, it’s 161 million. I guess we could ask why the extra million? – 160 wasn’t enough? It’s like the Price is Right where they bet on that one extra dollar making the difference in getting to go on stage.

Teixeira talks are really heating up. Serious offers from Baltimore, Washington and Boston now. The Angels will make their play very soon. If the Angels fail to get Tex, watch them take Manny because we won’t give him 3 years.

We apparantly can’t care less about Hudson. We’re not going to offer Furcal a decent deal. We’re either scared to death to take the smallest risk, or just a bunch of cheap ********. When Jones proves again that he’s done, say hello to #9 leading off.

At this point it’s still all just potentially horrible. They can fix it. I just don’t have the slightest bit of confidence that they have the knowledge or the will to do it.

They need to either take a gamble with Furc or sign the O-Dog. They need a leadoff hitter. Have you seen any indication of any interest in Hudson? Neither have I. Will someone offer Furcal a 4-year deal again? Probably. Is there anyone else? Maybe DeJesus will surprise everyone in ST. Yeah, that’s it.

Hey Eric, great Alice’s Restaurant song last night! I saw Arlo Guthrie a few years ago in Chico. If nothing else, it changed how I view Will “Grandpa Zeb Walton” Geer forever, heheh. That was one tough guy. That was a great show, his daughter played too, and she’s really talented.

As for the state of the Dodgers, well, I lost it at the end of last thread…. and even that was something I edited a few times before posting, heheh. Maybe McCourt should sell the team to Mark Cuban (if he’s not in stripes), at least HE has the passion for building a winner (well, a regular season winner… but still)

Just yesterday, we were praising Ned for being patient and not making any knee-jerk decisions, but I guess he hasn’t been doing anything at all. I am concerned like enchanted with the dishonesty. Why were set up to believe we had a chance with CC?

Well, Ward Dear……I don’t have to tell you my list. I stopped after reading the lead off batter. 🙂

nsblues – thanks for reminding me about the song. I can’t do youtube at school – go figure. However, I got all kinds of ideas on how to increase my sexual pleasure. Seriously, our network is so stupid sometimes.

That one looks a little better. especially defensively. But it’s like looking at one’s spouse with a giant zit on their nose. A giant, Potamus-sized zit.

Okay, the girlfriend wants the newfangled tele-typewriter doohickey, so I’m gone for now. Have a good night, and remember, it could be worse, FOX could still be in control, selling off the kids to acquire broadcasting rights in Costa Rica.

Man, Eric ……this is one long song. I am still listening to it. See, I have heard the one line before, but I guess I didn’t know there was an 18 minute song to go with it – Wow!!! Do you get credit for 6 songs for that one, considering most songs are about 3 minutes long?

hey I looked up Jack Wilson in my Spanish/English English/Spanish dictionary. Apparently, Jack Wilson is English for Angel Berroa… yeah ned lets sign some more hurt players to lead us to a championship… woo hoo… sign saito long term… why not carl pavano, mark prior, nomar for 5 more years… I say give pavano 10 years at 200 million, prior 8 years at 160 million and nomar 5 years 250 million… get it done ned…

Well, let me rephrase that – the person writing the article appears to think Ramirez is on the back burner. An article can’t think – LOL!!!! Then again, I would take my chances on a piece of paper over Ned right now.

so true eric… sign jones to a 9 year 325 million dollar deal… one million for every pound he weighs… and JP gets 7 years 162 million (he has to make more than CC) and while were at it lets give schmidt 3 more years but since he did so good for us were gonna give him a raise to 75 million… what a team were putting together…

Josh, thanks for finding time in keeping us post-it on what’s going on in Vegas. Keep it coming!
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Loretta welcome to the Dodgers. It must feel wonderful having to play for the team you grew up watching. Enjoy the season. Help us win….good luck!
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Blake I’m so glad you are staying with the Dodgers. You were one of the many reasons why went as far as we did….well the Dodgers….welcome BACK!
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Somebody actually showed interest in Pierre….wow!
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AND TO ALL MY ITD’rs HAVE A WONDERFUL AND EXCITING DAY….I’LL KEEP CHECKING. (I’M ACTUALLY EXTREMELY BUSY AT MY WORK SO DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME TO READ ALL)
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ROSE

Good Morning ITD readers and writers!!!!
Just an article that came through my google alert again. It’s about the craziness that is going on in the Bellagio, with a picture of our magician right in the middle of it. Have a great morning everyone, and I will check in when I can. Another foggy day here in the valley. Those of you with sun, enjoy!!

Franklin Gutierrez and Edwin Jackson were both traded in the past 24 hours. Guess these former Dodger “Blue Chippers” weren’t the next coming, after all. But then, Danny Baez, Lance Carter and Milton Bradley aren’t exactly around L.A. anymore, either…………

REACTION:
Joe: They say we’re old and we can’t see
Anything good about walks or OBP.
Juan: Well I don’t care if all that’s true
‘Cause you got me, and baby I got you
Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Joe: They say our love won’t win no games
But I don’t care if we go down in flames.
Juan: I guess that’s so, I don’t care either
as long as I get to start instead of Ethier

Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Juan: I got 8….point 8 mil, and I put you…. in my will.
Joe: And when I’m sad, you’re a clown
And if I get scared, you’re always around
Joe: So let them say your hat’s too big
‘Cause I don’t care, let them call me pig
Juan: Then put your little hand in mine
There ain’t no hill or mountain we can’t climb

Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Juan: I got you to write my name
Joe: I got you to lead the game
Juan: I got you to pull up my socks
Joe: I got you to take me on walks

Walk and he’ll never figure out
No, he’ll never figure out how to raise his OBP
He flies out to left field every time
Ex-cept when he grounds out, Pierre’s a-comin’ (he walked once but then he got thrown out)
Pierre’s a-comin’ (he walked once but then he got thrown out)
Pierre’s a-comin’ and he’s comin’ to git ya (he walked but… he walked
but…)
Get down on your knees (he walked but then he got thrown out)

Walk and you’ll never stop them from
No, you’ll never stop them from running to the next base
Remember when Andre threw them out
Every time they tried it, Pierre’s a-comin’ (no way he can throw the runners out)
Pierre’s a-comin’ (no way he can throw the runners out)
Pierre’s a-comin’ and he’s comin’ to git ya (they took it… they took it….)
Get down on your knees

Dodgereric ~ your songs have brightened my rather gloomy day! Furcal would be a nice addition but, I think we have to go all out and get Manny now. If we don’t sign him, that will put a huge amount of pressure on Matt, James, Andre and Russell to provide the homerun punch. I think, if playing everyday, the numbers will be pretty good. But, we need Manny!

Definitely Oldies but goodies. The songs being goodies, the topic being not-so-goodies. I guess it’s time to start up on the song writing for JP, isn’t it? BTW – I don’t think I will ever look at the movie “Groundhog Day” the same way ever again, but then again, that is happening to many songs and movies nowadays.

We all know Furcal’s back is a big question mark. But the question that we need to answer is this one: If Furcal will not be signed, who leads off? Matt? Pierre? Hu? If we’re courting someone else, I haven’t heard of it.

I still say we roll the dice with Rafael. If he’s healthy, we’ll be really happy. I’m sick and tired of not doing contracts because of the mistakes of the past. If all we give out from now on are 2-3 year deals, all we’re going to end up with are a bunch of Casey Blakes. Does anyone think we’re going to hang onto our kids with 2-3 year contracts?

If I get knocked down, I’m getting back up again to fight some more. I don’t just lay there and watch everyone else play. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re the Expos.

It’s okay Ward Dear…… I figured as much or you just fell asleep, which I have done on occasion too. I listened to “Alice’s Restaurant” again. I was very intrigued by the song, and so I paid attention to it more the 2nd time, well as much attention as I can give at 1 in the morning 🙂

It is very quiet on the shortstop front, isn’t it?? I am willing to risk Furcal, even if it gives Hu or DeJesus some time to get more playing time in.

As depressed as some of you seem to feel, the Dodgers have actually accomplished more than most teams so far…and there’s still a strong possibility Furcal and Manny will be back. They both WANT to be here, so that at least tips the playing field a bit. Granted, Frank’s pocketbook may prove to be a bit too shallow at the end of the day and both will sign elsewhere, but until that reality comes to pass, I would pay ZERO attention to rumor, innuendo, and speculation. And it wouldn’t surprise me to see “Hell’s Bells” come on board, either. The Dodgers are a young team on the rise, playing in a warm-weather, exciting city. And I truly believe that MartinLoneyKempEthier can carry the Manny-less load if necessary. But please, NO stop-gap PVLs. And trade Pierre and Jones while you’re at it, Ned. Pretend they’re Schmidt, accept that they’re damaged goods, and eat the cash.

but you’re right.. we’ve accomplished more than some.. the mets and the yankees are making headlines.. but hardly anyone else has made any actual moves.. we went into the winter meeting with no leftside of the infield, and now we have 50% of it.. so it’s better than nothing.. and i still praise the mark loretta move, even though it’s only a teeny-tiny move..

Kpookie ~ if you say so, I will not be depressed any more. I do love our young core of players and, I think the addition of Loretta is a positive move. I guess I got swept up in the wheelings and dealings of the Yankees and the Mets. Thanks for bringing me back to my senses 🙂

Kahli – I think if we can get Furcal back and he stays healthy through the long run, we could hold our own in this division. Manny would just be a bonus and would obviously put fans in the seats. As far as the outfield, if we don’t get Manny then I am willing to trade (or just out right get rid of) Pierre and hope that Jones comes back in some form of his former self (pre-Dodger days). As far as Hoffman, it would definitely add excitement, not that I am saying anything bad about “Sammy Time”, but the Hoffman experience (Hells Bells) was something else. As Aesthetics Coordinator, it would definitely be something to look forward to. I guess you would have to come up with a Dodger version of his entrance though. We would hate to copy and be like the Padres.

dnelly, i’ll have to disagree with you about hoffman. he’s only a shell of his former self. yes there was greatness there, and he still continues to shut us down for the most part (minus the 4 homer game) but an 80 mph fastball doesn’t excite me at all..

I do think, all things being equal, that Manny wants to be in L.A. The city loves him and his teammates do, too. And he seemed to flourish here. But all things are NOT equal in the cash department, so Manny may move on. But think for a minute how in the finals vs. Phils, they basically pitched around Manny and the kids couldn’t step up…they’d become too dependent on Manny. If he leaves, MartinLoneyKempEthier will become a four-headed beast, forced to step up…and I have every confidence they will.

We have plug-ins for Furcal at short, but not leadoff. If McCourt can go 3 years for Blake, why not Furcal? He’s younger. Yeah, yeah, his back. I don’t care. Take a chance with him or get another leadoff hitter.

I liked Sammy, but he’s done.

I actually like the idea of getting Hoffman, if for no other reason than to have him teach that change to Brox.

Prediction #1 – Chan Ho won’t last the season in Philly. A fly ball pitcher in that bandbox??

Prediction #2 – at least 2 players on the opening day roster will be NRIs, both pitchers.

I don’t blame the D’s for playing hardball with Ferk and Manny (even Saito for that matter.) For the life of me though I don’t know why they never went after Hudson – solved three problems: leadoff, 2B and 3B (and we wouln’t have had to resign Blake.) Plus his youth would’ve fit in with our guys.

I’m dreading the rest of the PVL caravan though that’s coming our way.

What the hell was Ned’s pitch to get Frank to sign off on Schmidt knowing full well he was injured?
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“Pay no attention to that torn rotator cuff behind the curtain… I am the great and powerful
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wizard of… ned.”

I’ve been wondering about the O-Dog myself lately. He’s not exactly a base stealer and he’s no stranger to the DL, but he’s won 3 Gold Gloves and has a decent bat.

Hi e! I don’t mind the hardball approach either. It’s just that there’s a difference between using it for negotiating and offering something you know they won’t take because you have no intention of signing them. I guess it all boils down to whether you have confidence in the front office.

Did you hear Torre’s comments on Blake? – He’s a grinder. I’d prefer a hitter vs. someone that shows up to their job everyday. Hell Pierre’s a grinder.

I really don’t have anything against the Blake signing, its just that he’s a complimentary player. My question is, who’s he complimenting?? Right now, he’s the primary clean-up hitter in JoJo’s world of vets in prominent rolls.

Hudson Ned! Hudson!! That frees up Blake to left field in the event we don’t get Ramirez back OR frees up DeWitt to trade for a real pitcher.

Speaking of scotch, when I turned 21, my mom took me to Lake Tahoe for a little gambling expedition. While I was sitting at the Blackjack table, I ordered a scotch & soda……that’s what mom and dad had as their favorite drink. When it arrived, I took one sip and the dealer cracked up laughing at the look on my face…..it was the most retched thing I had ever tasted.

Kahli – your description of your class made me laugh. It sounds just like mine minus the puberty However, I will take mine over yours any day. I applaud you and anyone who can work with students from 6th grade on up. Good luck on getting through the next week.

Scotch is great. I like Scotch. Scotchie scotch scotch. Down in my belly.

This hispanic/chicano/latino/mexican-american dislikes tequilla with a passion (and the feeling’s mutual, heh). Love Rum, though, and my favorite is Canadian Whisky, though I have a soft spot in my liver for Irish Whiskey and won’t turn down an Old No. 7, unless it wears a tiara and calls itself Princess Drew. Or if it finds itself on the crest of the “Junior Dodgers fan club” crest.

northstateblues – the talk of whiskey got you up and moving today I see….. LOL!!!!!

enchanted – why don’t they sell it there?

trublue – I learn more about you everyday – LOL!!!!

As for me and alcohol, I am definitely not the whiskey type unless it is with lemonade or something where I don’t taste it as much. As for the others (rum, tequila, vodka and gin), I like all of them, and it usually depends on what else goes in it usually. Tequila sunrises, margaritas, hurricanes and Mai Tai’s are among my favorite drinks, but I do like simple gin and lemonade as well. Now this is not to say I drink all the time, but when I do, these are the things I enjoy. Kahlua and coffee is a good combination too 🙂

There are a couple of places I love to go in Napa for port wine.
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Prager Port Works & V. Sattui Winery.
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Most anything at Prager is great. Sattui has one called Madeira that is a gold medal winner. It is great. They also have one called Angelica. It’s a brandy that is awesome. Also a gold medal winner. Check out their website as the place is pretty. They only sell their wines there & on the web. Both places are in St. Helena. If you ever go to the Napa wine country you’ve got to hit these places.

dcollins ~ Napa and St. Helena bring back fond memories for me….our best friends lived in Napa and we used to drive through the wine country in our ’37 Ford……stopping for all the wine tasting we could get.

The original song is quite apropos. Howard Jones – No One Is To Blame:

NEDCO ALWAYS IS TO BLAME
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You can look at free agents that you just won’t sign
You can get you a vet’ran that you hope will work out fine
You can get you a towel, but you’ll pay 90 bucks
You can still be a rooter, but you know that your team sucks
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We want Manny, we want Furcal
We want everyone
We want Hudson, we want CC
Ned-Co, Ned-Co, NedCo always is to blame
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You can build a green girdle but you can’t fit in it
You can spend forty million but all you get is Schmidt
Some got the tools and will pay any cost
But with these Three Stooges you know all hope is lost
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We want AJ, we want Tex too
We want everyone
We want Benny, we want Ollie
Ned-Co, Ned-Co, NedCo always is to blame
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You can see the pennant, but you can’t reach it
Need the last piece of that puzzle, but you just can’t make a fit
Frankie say he want to win, but he don’t make any gains
Aspirations in the clouds but your hopes go down the drain
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We want Brian, we want Johnny
We want everyone
We want Randy, we want Richie
Ned-Co, Ned-Co, NedCo always is to blame
.
NedCo always is to blame
NedCo always is to blame

Andre Ethier and Russell Martin were the Dodgers to achieve Super 2 status this year, meaning they became arbitration-eligible without having at least three years of major league service time. They are in for big paydays, and it will be interesting to see if the Dodgers are content to pay them year-to-year rather than try to lock them up long-term. They’ve already been turned back talking about multi-year deal by Martin’s agent.

Also tendered contracts were Jonathan Broxton and Jason Repko. Amazingly, assuming Jeff Kent doesn’t return to the team, they will be the two players with the most tenure on the Dodgers next year.

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